(News: Begins August 7, 2022)
As I consider retirement soon, I’ve asked myself “What have I never preached?” Turns out one of the classic things I’ve never preached is a series on the life of David. So this fall we’ll be looking at David’s life beginning in 1 Samuel 16 and ending in 1 Kings 2.
Here is a very brief reading plan you can follow during the series: Note that this plan does not directly follow the preaching plan (shown in detail below). If you want to prepare specifically for Sunday, read the passages shown in the detailed plan.
The week before August 7: Read 1 Samuel 16
The week before August 14: Read 1 Samuel 17
The week before August 21: Read 1 Samuel 21, 22, and 23
The week before August 28: Read 1 Samuel 24, 25, and 26
The week before September 4: Read 1 Samuel 27, 28, and 29
The week before September 11: Read 1 Samuel 30, 31 and 2 Samuel 1
The week before September 18: Read 2 Samuel 2, 3, and 4
The week before September 25: Read 2 Samuel 5, 6, and 7
The week before October 2: Read 2 Samuel 8, 9 and 10
During the weeks before October 9 and 16, read 2 Samuel 11, 12 and 13
The week before October 23: Read 2 Samuel 14, 15, and 16
The week before October 30: Read 2 Samuel 17, 18 and 19
The week before November 6: Read 2 Samuel 20, 21, 22, and 23
The week before November 13: Read 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Kings 1 and 2
The week before November 20: Read 1 Chronicles 16
Here are the dates and details of the sermons:
1. August 7, 2022
Title: The Lord Looks on the Heart
Chapters: 1 Samuel 16
Key Text: 1 Samuel 16:7
Worship: God’s Work in Our Hearts
Key Sentence: God doesn’t pick us based on our merit, but looks on our hearts
Outline:
I. Introduction – The Life of David
II. The Failure of Saul
III. A New Kind of King (1 Samuel 16:6-7)
IV. The King as Servant
V. The King as Type of Jesus
1 Samuel 16:6–7 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
2. August 14, 2022
Title: Zeal for the Lord
Chapters: 1 Samuel 17
Key Text: 1 Samuel 17:45-47
Worship: The Battle is the Lord’s
Key Sentence: Our zeal for God is what gives us courage in the battle of life
Outline:
I. Two Beginnings?
II. God’s people challenged and mocked
III. Zeal for God rejects man’s weapons
IV. Zeal for God gives courage in the battle
V. The Living God wins the battles of life
1 Samuel 17:45–47 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
3. August 21, 2022
Title: True Friendship
Chapters: 1 Samuel 18-20, 1 Samuel 23:16-18
Key Text: 1 Samuel 23:16-18
Worship: God’s Care in the Hard Times
Key Sentence: God is with us when we are distressed, in debt or discontent
Outline:
I. Souls Knit (1 Samuel 18:1-5)
II. Standing up for a friend (1 Samuel 19-20)
III. I am Second (1 Samuel 23:16-18)
1 Samuel 18:1–5 As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. 4And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
1 Samuel 23:15–18 David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. 16And Jonathan, Saul’s son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. 17And he said to him, “Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you. Saul my father also knows this.” 18And the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. David remained at Horesh, and Jonathan went home.
4. August 28, 2022
Title: Living in the Wilderness
Chapters: 1 Samuel 21-23
Key Text: 1 Samuel 22:1-5
Worship: God’s Care in the Hard Times
Key Sentence: God is with us when we are distressed, in debt or discontent
Outline:
I. God’s way of escape, not man’s (1 Samuel 21:1-15)
II. A stronghold for the distressed and discontent (1 Samuel 22:1-5)
III. A place of fellowship and service (1 Samuel 23:13-17)
IV. Away from the horror yet pursued by the enemy (1 Samuel 22:6-23:28)
(also, Psalm 57, Psalm 142)
1 Samuel 22:1–5 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. 2And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. 3And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 4And he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. 5Then the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not remain in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah.” So David departed and went into the forest of Hereth.
5. September 4, 2022
Title: The Lord’s Anointed
Chapters: 1 Samuel 24, 26
Key Text: 1 Samuel 24:1-10
Worship: Trusting God
Key Sentence: Trust in God is seen in our respect for God’s people
Outline:
I. I will not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed 1 Samuel 24:1-10
II. Again, I will not put out my hand
III. When others put out their hands, I grieve
IV. Whose downfall has pleased you?
1 Samuel 24:1–10 When Saul returned from following the Philistines, he was told, “Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi.” 2Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. 3And he came to the sheepfolds by the way, where there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts of the cave. 4And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ ” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.” 7So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way. 8Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage. 9And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’
6. September 11, 2022
Title: The Wise Woman, the Foolish Man, and the King
Chapters: 1 Samuel 25, 30
Key Text: 1 Samuel 25:32-35
Worship: The God who works salvation for us
Key Sentence: When foolishness defies God, the wise intervene, repent and protect
Outline:
I. The foolishness of Nabal
II. The wisdom of Abigail
III. The repentance of David
IV. The protection of God
1 Samuel 25:32–35 And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 34For as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male.” 35Then David received from her hand what she had brought him. And he said to her, “Go up in peace to your house. See, I have obeyed your voice, and I have granted your petition.”
7. September 18, 2022
Title: The Last Battle
Chapters: 1 Samuel 27, 28, 29, 31, 2 Samuel 1
Key Text: 1 Samuel 31:1-13
Worship: Sovereign God
Key Sentence: Man’s desperation cannot thwart God’s will
Outline:
I. David’s Desperation (1 Samuel 27:1-12)
II. Saul’s Desperation (1 Samuel 28:1-25)
III. David’s Desperation Thwarted (1 Samuel 29:1-11)
IV. Saul’s Desperation Thwarted (1 Samuel 31:1-13)
V. How the Mighty Have Fallen (2 Samuel 1:1-27)
1 Samuel 31:1–13 Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. 3The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. 4Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. 6Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. 7And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them. 8The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. 9So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. 10They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. 11But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. 13And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.
8. September 25, 2022
Title: The Civil War
Chapters: 2 Samuel 2, 3, 4
Key Text: 2 Samuel 2:12-17
Worship: Sovereign God
Key Sentence: When our loyalty is to something other than God, the result is evil.
Outline:
I. David King of Judah
II. Abner and Joab
III. Abner’s Defection
IV. The Revenge of Joab
V. The Death of Ish-Bosheth
2 Samuel 2:12–17 Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. 13And Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. And they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. 14And Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.” 15Then they arose and passed over by number, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. 16And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. 17And the battle was very fierce that day. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.
9. October 2, 2022
Title: How Shall a King Honor God?
Chapters: 2 Samuel 5, 6
Key Text: 2 Samuel 5:17-25
Worship: Seeking the Lord
Key Sentence: We honor God by inquiring of God and doing things his way
Outline:
I. David the King (2 Samuel 5:1-16)
II. David Inquired of the Lord (2 Samuel 5:17-25)
III. David and the Ark (2 Samuel 6:1-23)
IV. David’s Victories (2 Samuel 8:1-18, 2 Samuel l0:1-19)
2 Samuel 5:17–25 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The LORD has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 22And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23And when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the LORD has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25And David did as the LORD commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.
10. October 9, 2022
Title: Great David’s Greater Son
Chapters: 2 Samuel 7
Key Text: 2 Samuel 7:12-16
Worship: Great David’s Greater Son
Key Sentence: Jesus is all the good that David modeled, none of the bad and so much more.
Outline:
I. David’s Desire (2 Samuel 7:1-3)
II. God’s Promise (2 Samuel 7:4-17)
III. David’s Gratitude (2 Samuel 7:18-29)
2 Samuel 7:12–16 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”
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11. October 16, 2022
Title: We All Walk with a Limp
Chapters: 2 Samuel 9
Key Text: 2 Samuel 9:1-13
Worship: Carried to the Table
Key Sentence:
Outline:
I. The Desire to Show Kindness (2 Samuel 9:1-4)
II. The Promise of Kindness (2 Samuel 9:5-8)
III. The Outworking of Kindness (2 Samuel 9:9-13)
2 Samuel 9:1–13 And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” 3And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” 4The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” 5Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. 6And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” 7And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” 8And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” 9Then the king called Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson. 10And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master’s grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master’s grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table, like one of the king’s sons. 12And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba’s house became Mephibosheth’s servants. 13So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king’s table. Now he was lame in both his feet.
October 23, 2022 (David Jackson, Bob on Vacation)
October 30, 2022 (Todd Cobbs, Bob on Vacation)
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11. November 6, 2022
Title: Confronting our Greatest Sin
Chapters: 2 Samuel 11, 12, Psalm 51
Key Text: Psalm 51:1-14
Worship: Thy Mercy My God
Key Sentence: We all have the potential for great sin; God offers great forgiveness
Outline:
I. Sin (2 Samuel 11: 1-27)
II. Confronting Sin (2 Samuel 12:1-31)
III. Confessing Sin (Psalm 51:1-14)
Psalm 51:1–14 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
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12. November 13, 2022
Title: The Grief of a Fallen World
Chapters: 2 Samuel 13-19
Key Text: 2 Samuel 18:31-33
Worship: My Rescue is in God
Key Sentence: Like David, we grieve in a fallen world, but trust God to rescue.
Outline:
I. When grief leads to absence (2 Samuel 13-14)
II. When grief leads to rebellion and contempt (2 Samuel 15-16)
III. When grief leads to more grief. (2 Samuel 18)
IV. When grief leads us back to God (Psalm 31)
2 Samuel 18:31–33 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For the LORD has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” 33And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Psalm 31:9–10 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. 10For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.
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13. November 20, 2022
Title: David’s Thanksgiving
Chapters: 1 Chronicles 16
Key Text: 1 Chronicles 16:7-34
Worship: Thankful Praise
Key Sentence: Thanksgiving has many verbs, but the primary one is remember.
Outline:
I. O give thanks to the LORD (1 Chronicles 16:7-11)
II. Remember his works (1 Chronicles 16:12-14)
III. Remember his promises (1 Chronicles 16:15-19)
IV. Sing, declare, ascribe, worship, rejoice (1 Chronicles 16:23-34)
1 Chronicles 16:7–34 Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers. 8Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! 9Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! 10Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 11Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 12Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, 13O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! 14He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. 15Remember his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 16the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, 17which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 18saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan, as your portion for an inheritance.” 19When you were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, 20wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, 21he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, 22saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!” 23Sing to the LORD, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. 24Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 25For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. 26For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. 27Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. 28Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! 29Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; 30tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. 31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” 32Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it! 33Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. 34Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!